Aren’t You Ashamed?

How do you answer a hostile skeptic? Bodie Hodge, AiG–U.S., provides insight into dealing with those who prefer name-calling to debate.

I have read some of Lisle’s embarrassing work before so expected little from his [The Ultimate Proof of Creation], and that’s what I got. It may fool a child of five, or a half wit adult with the mind of a child of five, since it was written by one, but it is full of mistakes even a ten year old would not make. How can people be so utterly stupid as to believe in such nonsense? Presumably Lisle got his qualifications from a cornflakes box since few are so utterly ignorant? Why don’t you send such clods to school for an education? Answer is that if they did get one, they’d stop believing the slops on this site. No wonder none of them including Hammy has the guts to post on a religious forum. The fools who use your site for information are easily defeated in arguments by people pointing out the obvious to them. Aren’t you ashamed of being utterly stupid?

—M.H., France

Message Sent

Thank you all for your wonderful work to show the truth of the Bible, and for working to repair the foundations of modern churches. Your work is greatly needed, and appreciated by many people. Thanks to Ken Ham and others for their working in starting and maintaining the Creation Museum, and for continued research, even with tight funds. I am praying for you, and I am sure many others are also.

God bless you as you continue to seek to serve Him first.

—M.H., U.S.

Have Something to Add?

Thank you for contacting Answers in Genesis—again. [Note to the reader: M.H. has contacted AiG with a number of similar emails in the past.] Even though I am being direct, I am responding with sincerity.

What was wrong in the book? Why not send substantiation for these claims which was requested when filling out the feedback form (in the rules). It is unsurprising you had this opinion, given the expectation you apparently had before reading it.

It may fool a child of five, or a half wit adult with the mind of a child of five, since it was written by one, but it is full of mistakes even a ten year old would not make. How can people be so utterly stupid as to believe in such nonsense?

A question begging epithet fallacy really doesn’t help the case. Mistakes such as? We have no problem addressing criticisms—and welcome thoughtful ones—but you have given us nothing to discuss. If the tables were turned, would you entertain questions from someone who simply insulted you rather than discussed points and arguments?

Presumably Lisle got his qualifications from a cornflakes box since few are so utterly ignorant?

Presuming things based on epithet fallacies will not lead to the correct conclusion. Besides, a search on the website about Dr. Lisle reveals that he earned his PhD from the University of Colorado–Boulder. But having a degree—and even the place of origin of that degree—is no guarantee of the accuracy of an argument. An argument should be judged on its own merits. [another logical fallacy]

Why don’t you send such clods to school for an education?

In return (and kindly), may I suggest a course in logic?

Answer is that if they did get one, they’d stop believing the slops on this site.

Since Dr. Lisle has a reputable doctorate, from a secular school no less, and still believes the Bible over autonomous human reason (which is what this email seems to present), perhaps the evolutionary religion should be reconsidered as false. Most of us who write for AiG have college degrees (and a good number have advanced degrees), as well as many of our readers and supporters. Perhaps you should do some research before making such accusations.

No wonder none of them including Hammy has the guts to post on a religious forum.

We prefer a “step up,” as opposed to the un-reviewed informal comments of lay people who have not done their research, and are, as such, only willing/able to offer an opinion rather than anything substantial. We have an open call to formal, moderated debates, given that they can be recorded, equal time is given, and a specific topic is agreed upon beforehand.

The fools who use your site for information are easily defeated in arguments by people pointing out the obvious to them.

Such as? Besides, you used our website for information. You have certainly not “pointed out the obvious,” or defeated arguments unless you define defeating as being able to insult the other the most—in which case, you will likely “win” against any Christian. Wecan, however, point out the obvious: God’s handiwork is clearly seen in everything you see (Romans 1:19–20).

Aren’t you ashamed of being utterly stupid?

Firstly, in the worldview being presented in this email, why is shame a bad thing? You are confirming the truth of a plainly written Genesis, where shame has meaning due to a literal sin (Genesis 3:6): the first two unashamed people (Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:25) sinned against God, which is why we have shame today. We are not ashamed of the truth—and insults do not change that.

Secondly, name calling like “utterly stupid” is yet another question begging epithet fallacy. The whole reason I selected this email was to share with others how to respond to such attacks. But I’m not here to simply demolish such arguments, even though I am commanded to (2 Corinthians 10:5
); I want to see you come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Have you ever stopped to consider what is going to happen when you die? If you really believe that you are going into a hole and that’s that, then why do you care what anyone else believes? The fact that you are sending an email shows this inconsistency. Scripture says that you will come out of that hole in the ground, whether you want to or not.

My hope and prayer is that you will change your heart and turn from the false religion that has deceived you and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.